READ: Luke 3:21,22: … Jesus also was baptized … praying … like a dove … a voice came from heaven … ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased!’
The fact that Jesus is also baptized by John (Mk. 1:9), after he has baptized the people, may raise the question: why is this necessary? Jesus is, after all, without sin (Jn. 8:46; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15). Certainly, but Jesus is nevertheless already burdened with sins at that point; representatively, He is already bearing the sins of His people.
In our time, it is of the utmost importance to hold firmly to this against false teaching concerning the suffering of Christ! For this, it is necessary to know Scripture, particularly with regard to the substitutionary character of His suffering (Isa. 53:5-12; Matt. 8:17; 20:28; Mk. 10:45; Luke 22:19,20; Rom. 3:24,25; 5:8; 8:1; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; 1 Pet. 2:24; Rev.1:5; HC, Lord’s Day 15).
Bearing the burden of sin began immediately from His birth. Even then an offering had to be brought by Mary for this purpose (Lev.12:1-8; Luke 2:24). For the Lord Jesus, undergoing baptism is a symbolic portrayal of His work of redemption and the starting point of His official work as Redeemer and Mediator. He does this at the command of God the Father (Gal. 4:4,5).
From this point onward, He stands ready as an adult man to carry out this work (Heb. 10:5; Ps. 40:7-9), and He continues it all the way to the cross, always in deep communion with the Father (Jn. 5:19ff.; 10:30). That Jesus prays to His Father is mentioned here for the first time, but He will continue to pray throughout His life, up to the cross and after His resurrection.
In response to His prayer, wondrous events take place. First of all, the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove. From now on, the Spirit specially equips Jesus to accomplish His difficult task all the way to the cross (cf. Isa. 11:2; 48:16; 61:1-3; Zech. 4:6; Luke 4:18,19). A voice from God the Father also sounds from heaven: ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased!’
The love between Father and Son is the highest, deepest, and greatest love that exists. In every respect it is an unlimited, eternal love. That love is always the measure for our mutual love toward God the Father and the Son. Thus Jesus is strengthened for what lies ahead.
Is verse 22 proof of the Trinity of God?
Sing: Hymn 21:1 (1984) / 25:1 (2014)